Residents of Oyinkan Abayomi Drive (formerly Queens Drive) in Ikoyi, Lagos State, have appealed to the Federal Government to halt an ongoing land reclamation project, alleging that it has triggered severe flooding, environmental hazards and persistent noise pollution in the area.

The residents claimed that continuous sand-filling of the lagoon has obstructed the natural flow of water, causing canals to overflow into residential compounds whenever it rains.

One of the residents, Mr. Obaro Ibru, said families have endured days of flooding that has damaged homes and forced residents to remain awake through the night bailing out water.

According to him, the flooding has affected bedrooms, bathrooms and living rooms, creating serious health and safety concerns.

He alleged that the project, which was reportedly justified as a flood protection measure, has instead worsened flooding in the neighbourhood.

“We never had flooding like this before. There is absolutely no regard for the environment and the people being affected,” he said.

Ibru also complained about round-the-clock dredging activities, saying residents have been subjected to constant noise pollution.

“We also suffer from 24-hour daily noise pollution from the dredgers working all night. It’s totally inhumane,” he added.

Another resident, Mr. Daniel Gozama, said the reclamation work had altered the natural drainage system by restricting the flow of water into the lagoon.

He noted that residents had to hire workers to remove floodwater and debris from their compounds following recent heavy rainfall.

“We are only appealing to the government to look into the situation,” Gozama said.

The residents are urging both the Federal Government and the Lagos State Government to investigate the project and suspend further reclamation activities until measures are put in place to prevent flooding and protect surrounding communities.

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The Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA) has sealed Bonny Pie Industry located in Akinbo Township, Ewekoro Local Government Area, over allegations of environmental pollution through the discharge of untreated wastewater into a river used by residents.

The enforcement action followed a directive from the General Manager of OGEPA, Kehinde Bello, after the agency received a petition from the Olu of Akinbo, Oba Rasheed Olamilekan, alleging that the company was contaminating a major water source serving the community.

According to the petition, the industry had been discharging untreated wastewater into the river, raising concerns about environmental degradation and potential health risks for residents who rely on the water for domestic use.

In response to the complaint, OGEPA’s enforcement team conducted an inspection of the facility to verify the allegations and assess the environmental impact of the reported activities.

Based on preliminary findings, the agency sealed the facility as a precautionary measure to prevent further pollution while a comprehensive investigation is carried out.

Bello reiterated the Ogun State Government’s commitment to environmental sustainability and strict enforcement of environmental regulations across industries operating within the state.

He assured residents of Akinbo community that the investigation would be conducted transparently and professionally, adding that appropriate actions would be taken in line with the outcome of the findings.

The agency emphasized that industries are expected to comply fully with environmental laws and standards to safeguard public health, water resources, and the environment.

The development comes amid growing concerns over industrial waste management and environmental compliance in communities across Ogun State.

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The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) says it has completed remediation and closed 30 contaminated sites in Ogoniland, Rivers State, while launching fresh investigations into 18 high-risk polluted locations within residential communities.

Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, disclosed this in Abuja on Thursday during a press briefing ahead of a high-level donor and diplomatic conference scheduled for May 26, 2026.

Progress in Ogoni Cleanup Exercise

Zabbey said the remediation effort is guided by the 2011 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) assessment, which identified 65 contaminated sites and recommended urgent cleanup. However, he noted that additional polluted locations not captured in the original report are now being investigated.

According to him, 17 simple sites affected only by soil contamination have been fully remediated and officially closed out, with certification issued.

He also revealed that 13 sites have undergone natural attenuation, where environmental processes such as bio-remediation and photo-oxidation reduced pollution levels below acceptable thresholds. These sites were independently verified by the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and subsequently declared closed.

Ongoing and New Investigations

Zabbey explained that remediation is ongoing at 17 medium-risk complex sites, including four groundwater-affected locations where contamination levels have reportedly fallen below the World Health Organisation’s safety benchmark of 600 microgrammes per litre.

He added that investigations have now commenced on 18 high-risk complex sites located in residential areas to determine contamination levels and guide future remediation strategies.

According to him, the new assessment phase is necessary because environmental conditions are dynamic and groundwater pollution patterns continue to evolve over time.

“The environment is not static. You cannot depend solely on the 2011 UNEP data to determine current conditions,” he said.

Strengthening Donor and International Collaboration

Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Ogoni Trust Fund Incorporated for HYPREP, Emmanuel Deeyah, said the upcoming conference will deepen partnerships with international donors, diplomatic missions, multilateral agencies, and private sector stakeholders.

He said discussions will focus on environmental remediation, public health, livelihood restoration, water provision, mangrove recovery, and broader sustainable development initiatives in Ogoniland and the Niger Delta.

Deeyah added that the event will feature technical presentations outlining HYPREP’s achievements, challenges, and long-term strategic plans. The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, and the Dutch Ambassador to Nigeria, Bengtvan Loosdrecht, are expected to attend.

Background

The Ogoni cleanup programme was launched following the UNEP 2011 report, which documented extensive hydrocarbon pollution linked to decades of oil exploration in Rivers State. HYPREP was established in 2012 to implement remediation, restore livelihoods, and support environmental recovery across affected communities.

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Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, announced the enforcement action via his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday, February 12, 2025.

“The Lagos State Waste Water Management Office (@lswmomedia) on Tuesday 11th February, 2025, sealed off illegal public toilets and bathrooms along Coastal Road, Ikate, Eti-Osa LGA, Lagos, for constituting environmental nuisance,” Wahab stated.

Reaffirming the state’s zero-tolerance policy on environmental degradation, Wahab emphasized the health risks posed by unauthorized sanitation facilities. He added that the General Manager of LSWMO, Engr. Adefemi Afolabi, urged residents to adopt proper hygiene practices for public health and environmental sustainability.

Ongoing Crackdown on Environmental Violations
The Lagos State Government has intensified its efforts against environmental violations in recent months. The crackdown targets illegal sewage disposal and unregulated public toilets.

In January 2025, LSWMO sealed off Ebute-Ero Market Block N for illegally channeling sewage into public drains. A public toilet under the Leventis Bridge, Apongbon, was also shut down for discharging untreated sewage into the lagoon. Additionally, the Optimum Exposure Media Control Room was resealed for similar offenses.

Improving Sanitation Infrastructure
Beyond enforcement, the Lagos State Government is investing in sanitation infrastructure. In November 2024, it approved the construction of 100 new public toilets across the state to combat open defecation.

This initiative aims to provide accessible sanitation facilities in every Local Government and Local Council Development Area, ensuring cleaner and healthier communities while reinforcing the state’s commitment to environmental sustainability.

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